Question

The nurse has finished caring for a client on contact precautions. Which nursing action regarding the stethoscope used to auscultate this client's lungs and bowel sounds is appropriate?

A.) Discard it in the waste can.
B.) Disinfect it with alcohol swabs.
C.) Sterilize it by placing it in the autoclave.
D.) Do nothing; it can be used again immediately.

Answer 1

The nurse should disinfect the stethoscope with alcohol swabs after using it on a patient under contact precautions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate action for a nurse after using a stethoscope on a patient with contact precautions is to disinfect it. This means the correct option is B.) Disinfect it with alcohol swabs. Disinfecting is crucial to prevent the spread of infection and to maintain a safe environment for other patients. It is not necessary to dispose of the stethoscope, as it is not a single-use item. Sterilization in an autoclave is generally reserved for instruments that come into contact with sterile body areas or are used in surgical procedures. Using the stethoscope immediately on another patient without disinfection could lead to cross-contamination and is not advisable.